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The Willis family
Neighbours bosses have announced that another new family will be joining the soap.
The Willis clan will descend on Ramsay Street in the middle of the year, with former Home and Away stars Kip Gamblin and Rebekah Elmaloglou taking on the roles of married couple Brad and Terese.
Brad and Terese will be joined in Erinsborough by their teenage son and daughter.
Today's news follows the recent decision to bring in the Turner family, headed up by Lou Carpenter's daughter Lauren.
Neighbours' executive producer Richard Jasek commented: "We are moving our focus back to family units on Ramsay Street, and the dynamics this offers in terms of storylines is fantastic.
"As viewers will find out shortly, the Turners are a family of secrets, and the unique backstory of the Willis family is just as compelling."
Gamblin and Elmaloglou are known to soap fans for their respective roles as Summer Bay's Scott Hunter and Sophie Simpson.
Neighbours' new recruits will start filming in two weeks' time, debuting on screen in early June in Australia and three weeks later in the UK.
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i thought brad married beth
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He was but they must have divorced off screen. Maybe he'd been having another affair with Lauren which caused their divorce? We'll just have to wait and see :)
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Is it the same Brad character?
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It is supposed to be a new family .. must be different Brad
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No, It is the same Willis family, Brad is the son of Doug and Pam Willis and the brother of Cody and Gaby. They have recast the character of Brad, as he was originally played by Scott Michaelson.
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Neighbours boss Richard Jasek has revealed that he considered approaching original actor Scott Michaelson to play Brad Willis.
Kip Gamblin was recently announced to represent the character, who was played by Michaelson between 1991 and 1993.
Executive producer Jasek told TV Week: "We tossed around the idea of bringing Scott back, but he's not acting anymore.
"[He has] dropped out of acting altogether, so there was no point in reaching out.
"Brad, the character, has grown up and changed, so we're sure this recasting will be fine."
Gamblin, meanwhile, commented: "I've never met Scott. I don't know what happened to him.
"I don't know how Scott would feel chatting to me about his character, but I don't feel any pressure about taking over the role."
On the implications of him taking the part, the star added: "I'm sure there are going to be certain fans of the show who'll have an opinion about me as Brad, but that's out of my control."
Michaelson wasn't the first actor to play Brad - Benjamin Mitchell won the role in 1989 but only briefly, going on to play Brad's cousin Cameron Hudson.
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Neighbours bosses have today (February 19) released the first pictures showing the new Willis clan on Ramsay Street.
As announced in recent days, Brad Willis is returning to Erinsborough with former Home and Away actor Kip Gamblin taking over the role.
Meanwhile, Rebekah Elmaloglou - who played Summer Bay's Sophie Simpson - has landed the part of Brad's wife Terese.
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Rebekah Elmaloglou and Kip Gamblin.
Harley Bonner, son of Steph Scully star Carla Bonner, has signed up as Brad and Terese's son Joshua, while The Saddle Club actress Ariel Kaplan has been confirmed for the role of Joshua's twin sister Imogen.
Asked whether he has learned anything from his mother Carla, Harley replied: "When Mum was on Neighbours she would run lines with me and I did pick up some tips from her then, so I'm glad I paid attention! But basically she wants me to find my own feet."
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Ariel Kaplin and Harley Bonner.
Neighbours fans will see the Willises arrive on the street in the middle of the year.
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Neighbours have released two pictures offering a sneak peek at the new-look Number 22 set.
Paul Robinson's home has been given a makeover in time for the arrival of the Willis family, who will soon be moving in.
When Terese Willis takes over as the general manager of the Lassiter's hotel, her work deal includes nearby accommodation - which means taking over at Number 22.
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Ramsay Street's new-look Number 22.
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© Twitter / @Neighbours
Ramsay Street's new-look Number 22.
The Willises have now made their first appearances on screen in Australia, while their arrival scenes air on Channel 5 in the UK next month.
Kip Gamblin has taken over the role of returning character Brad and Rebekah Elmaloglou plays Terese. Meanwhile, Harley Bonner and Ariel Kaplin portray the couple's twin children Joshua and Imogen.
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Finally, the eclipse episode also sees the full Willis family make their arrival on Ramsay Street.
With Brad Willis (Kip Gamblin) moving back to Erinsborough as his wife Terese has secured a new job at the Lassiter's hotel, the couple are added to Neighbours' regular cast alongside their twin children Joshua and Imogen.
Lauren Turner (Kate Kendall) is shocked to see her old flame back in the area, and although she wouldn't admit it, her old feelings for him come flooding back. Could there be trouble ahead for the Turners and the Willises?
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Lauren and Brad meet again.
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Lauren meets Brad's wife Terese.
Neighbours airs the eclipse episode on Monday, June 17 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.
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Neighbours' UK fans have been introduced to newcomer Terese Willis this week following her appointment as the new manager of the Lassiter's hotel.
Terese made her first appearance in Tuesday's episode (June 11), but viewers can expect to see much more of her in the next few weeks as she moves into Ramsay Street with husband Brad (Kip Gamblin) and their twin children Joshua and Imogen (Harley Bonner and Ariel Kaplan).
Former Home and Away actress Rebekah Elmaloglou, who plays Terese, recently chatted to Digital Spy about joining Neighbours and what's to come.
How well have you settled in at Neighbours over the past few months?
"Like a duck to water! Everyone has made me feel so welcome and really helped me ease into things, but honestly, it hasn't been difficult at all. I feel like I've been here for ages."
How did the role come about? Is a part on Neighbours something you've always had your eye on?
"Well, my agent asked me to go for an audition like you do for all roles. I've been in lots of series but never Neighbours, so sure, it was something I thought would be interesting to do - particularly after being on another soap."
Has your time at Home and Away helped you to be well-equipped for Neighbours, or are the two shows quite different?
"They're very similar in terms of pace and structure, even down to the colour of the paper used in the production schedule, so it's no surprise to me. It's been nearly 20 years since I was on Home and Away, and production techniques have evolved of course, but the speed is still the same. Although Neighbours is probably a little faster because we film six episodes per week!"
How do you feel about being part of the revamp at Neighbours? Does it put you under any pressure?
"It's actually very exciting. I don't feel any pressure because I think I've come into the series at a great time. The story team are terrific, we have brand new sets and what is coming through for all the characters in terms of stories is really compelling. I'm loving it."
How do you describe Terese?
"She's ambitious, organised and extremely capable when it comes to her job, and can come across as a tough nut. However, there is definitely a softer side when it comes to her husband and family which I really like about the character - she's very changeable which makes her interesting.
"Terese has a lot to sort out at Lassiter's which means dealing with Paul Robinson, which is always a challenge. There are also some issues in her own family that need to be addressed, so she has a lot on her plate."
Terese does come across as a very warm character outside of work. Could there be another side to her, though?
"There isn't a devious side if that's what you mean. But she is ambitious and probably a bit too self assured at times, as she'll make decisions on behalf of others which doesn't always sit well in some situations."
Do you think Terese is capable of holding her own against someone like Paul Robinson?
"Absolutely. In her work environment, she certainly holds her own. It will be more a case of Paul having to keep pace with her!"
How will Terese feel about living in such close proximity to Brad's old flame Lauren?
"She is totally relaxed about it at the moment. She's known about Brad's relationship with Lauren, and she is very confident and secure about her marriage. That's not to say that it's a perfect marriage but in her mind, they're in a good place."
Should Terese be worried about Lauren's unresolved feelings for Brad?
"At the moment, she isn't aware of Lauren's feelings for her husband, so she isn't pre-empting any issues. But you'll have to wait and see how this plays out!"
Would we see a different side to Terese if she felt that her marriage was under threat?
"Definitely. Terese is devoted to her marriage and her family, and she'll fight for them."
Do we find out more about Terese and Brad's history over time? Are there any skeletons in the closet?
"Hmm, it wouldn't be fun if there weren't skeletons! The story will unfold over the coming months, so stay tuned."
We'll see that Imogen often feels neglected in the family in comparison to her twin brother Joshua, who's an elite swimmer. Do you think she's justified in wanting a bit more attention from Terese and Brad?
"Anyone that has a child that excels at a particular sport will appreciate the commitment by the parents and the whole family. While it's not intentional, I can certainly see how other children can be overshadowed. Terese and Brad will find themselves having to deal with fall-out of this in the near future."
Can we expect to see Terese form friendships with other characters on the street like Toadie, Sonya, Karl and Susan?
"Yes, absolutely, she is very social!"
In real life, who have you made friends with from the cast?
"Oh, gosh, everyone! My on-screen husband Kip [Gamblin], we've been friends for a long time. Also, Kate Kendall, Colette Mann, Jackie Woodburne and of course, my children - Harley and Ariel... everyone!"
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I cant stand Teresa. Overacting and doesnt suit the role of the manager of Lassiters! She was better as Sophie from Home and Away in her early years...
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Neighbours actor Kip Gamblin has said he thinks his character Brad Willis and wife Terese are good role models as parents.
UK viewers will have seen Brad and Terese coming to terms with their daughter Imogen's eating disorder over the last two weeks.
Speaking in a Q&A session with co-star Rebekah Elmaloglou ,who plays Terese, Gamblin said: "What makes Neighbours great as a show is families and people sitting down as families to watch the show. I really enjoy that.
"There is a big responsibility in how we portray a family and the morals of what we bring to the show.
"I think the Willises are quite wholesome and as parent role models, Brad and Terese do a pretty good job."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=6djbdVgl7bI
